Hitler and Nazi Germany economic policies

Nazi economic policies In today’s class, I am learning to: Describe economic policies introduced by the Nazis Analyse the success of these policies

Nazi economic policies Economic chaos during the Weimar years was a key factor in the Nazis gaining supporters. Therefore fixing Germany’s economic weakness was a Nazi priority.

Nazi economic policies At the start of 1933, six million Germans were unemployed. Hitler’s government took steps to hugely reduce this number and create jobs. The Nazis began a public works programme, constructing schools and government buildings.

Nazi economic policies The Nazis also planted forests across Germany, and also began building work on autobahns (motorways). As a result of these projects, tens of thousands of jobs were created, massively reducing unemployment (and creating the need for other jobs too).

Nazi economic policies The Nazis also began to rebuild Germany’s military (often breaking the Treaty of Versailles when doing so). This created more jobs in the German army, navy and air force. It also led to more jobs in industries which made weapons, such as airplanes and tanks.

Nazi economic policies The Nazis also tried to improve the conditions for people that had jobs. The Beauty of Work (SdA) scheme made changes to workplaces which would make workers happier. This included new lighting and ventilation systems in factories.

Nazi economic policies Strength Through Joy (KdF) was an organisation that helped workers outside of the workplace. Through KdF, German workers could get access to cheap holidays, or days out like concerts. They could also get the chance of buying a ‘People’s Car’ (Volkswagen).

Nazi economic policies The Nazis tried to introduce a policy of autarky. This meant Germany would not rely on food or resources from other countries. Hitler believed World War One had been lost due to needing too many imports from other places, so he wanted to avoid this. Hitler is building so help by buying German goods

Nazi economic policies Successes and weaknesses

Nazi economic policies Employment The Nazis had significant success in reducing unemployment. Six million people were unemployed when the Nazis took power in 1933. By 1939 unemployment in Germany had fallen to only 300,000 (close to full employment).

Nazi economic policies However the Nazis’ employment success was partly an illusion. Jews were removed from their jobs and not counted in official figures. Also many women were also removed from their jobs, and again they were not counted as unemployed.

Nazi economic policies Wages Under Nazi rule, average wages in Germany increased compared to the Weimar era. This was especially true for industrial workers. In addition more workers actually earned a wage, due to the increase in employment levels.

Nazi economic policies However higher wages hid some problems for people in Germany. Although Germans did earn more money, they were expected to work longer hours for this money. Also taxes and average prices increased, so most people were not better off.

Nazi economic policies Social benefits The introduction of workplace and social schemes helped Germans. It created safer working environments and allowed Germans to benefit from holidays, at a time when many did not have the money to pay for this.

Nazi economic policies However Strength Through Joy was not always successful, especially for Germans wanting to Volkswagen car. Due to a focus on making war materials, the cars were never actually delivered, even for people who had saved up enough for this.

Nazi economic policies Autarky The Nazis significantly increased production, meaning that more food and resources such as coal and steel was produced in areas under German control. This meant that Germany was less reliant on imports, preparing it for war.

Nazi economic policies However the Nazis never succeeded in completely ending the need for Germany to import some food and other resources. In addition the Nazis’ actions wasted money – it would have been cheaper to buy much of these goods from elsewhere.